Naomi2

We booked a back to back Prinsendam inside Guarantee and couldn't get upgraded as the second segment we were booking sold out. Thus we were booked in the smallest cabin ever for a month. The beds were L shaped and we could not have them changed to next to each other. There was practically no floor space and you tripped over the one chair that took over what little space there was left in the middle. On the second two weeks we bought our way out to a Veranda that miraculously became available. The inside room couldn't have been more than 140 square feet, if that. It was quiet and didn't smell or rock much. However, for a couple that still have romantic inclinations, it was close to impossible.

We would never book an M inside room again on the Prinsendam. Last year we booked it as a Guarantee and couldn't change the booking as one of the segments on our back to back had sold out. We finally bought our way out while we were onboard for the second two weeks of our sailing. The M rooms have two beds that you can't push together and are so small that the one small chair in the room takes up most of the floor space. The upside to the rooms are that they are central and low down on deck 5 so you are not likely to get seasick and they are quiet. The M would be OK for one person but not for two people especially if you would like to sleep together. Yours, Naomi2

We are also going on the Hal Volendam next year and received your wonderful posting from Cheryl and Mike. It is so helpful in planning what to see in many of the same ports. Thanks so much for your posting. Yours, Ellen and Larry

You pointed out that the itinerary is available only on the Prinsendam.

She does go to unusual ports as she is smaller and can usually dock at them. She does longer, back to back collectors cruises with different ports during both segments of the cruise. We like that. Also there seems to be a better staff to passenger ratio on the Prinsendam. We do like the added attention which we are paying for. Also there is excellent musical entertainment in the lounges, Adagio strings, piano players, a small band for dancing and two evening shows. It is easy to disembark the Prinsendam. With fewer people there is rarely a lineup to get on or off.

Yours, Naomi2

The Prinsendam has good entertainment in the evenings. The production shows are good with 12-14 singers and dancers and lots of changes of sets and costumes. They also have comedians, magicians, and single entertainers brought onboard. We haven't used the tubs and sauna so we don't know how hot they can get. We do walk around the wraparound promenade deck to get our excercise on sea days. Then we relax on the loungers on this deck also. The showers in the rooms are fine.

We also enjoy the adagio strings and piano in the lounge, or the sing along piano player in the other lounge. There is also dancing to live music. The Crows nest has huge windows on three sides to look out at the sea.

A lot of our time is spent talking with other cruisers who seem quite compatible. The ports are new and interesting. You should enjoy the Prinsendam.

The Prinsendam is our winning ship as she goes to wonderful places and is so easy to get around on. Our favorite ports are in Israel, Haifa and Ashdod. Our emotional connection there is unbeatable. Jerusalem is mystical, the city of gold.

Our tour to Safad felt otherworldly with stairways to the stars and a prophet peeking out of every alleyway, or at least a candle maker or craftsman.

HAL only provides a Rabbi on the High Holidays and for Passover seders. Otherwise the service is led by congregants. HAL provides reform prayer books. HAL does provide wine, challah, gefilte fish, and sponge cake and candlesticks with candles. However HAL does not provide matches or a lighter for the candles. Thus we had to go searching in port for matches for shabbos candle lighting. This is one item you would need to bring.

Yours, Naomi2

I read your review and picked up several pointers about the ports we will be in as we will be doing the Baltic and Burgundian Collectors cruise this year. Thank you so much for posting your review with all the detail.

I can't believe this will be our 4th month on the Prinsendam. She definitely attracts us. The Baltic is a repeat cruise for us but so many of the ports are different than the last time and others need revisiting.

Thankfully the thruster is fixed so we shouldn't miss as many ports as we did last year. That was our major complaint. Otherwise our trip was superb. We do many private tours and other ports on our own along with a few ship tours. The food, staff, entertainment, and other cruisers are wonderful. Exploring Europe in a small private group from the safety of a ship can't be matched. Yours, Naomi2

We have been on the Prinsendam 3 times and this August it will be 4. We do like the late seating for dinner and find the Explorer's lounge with the Adagio Strings is a wonderful relaxing pre dinner experience. Usually we will have a drink of soda or wine and take it into dinner with us. Frequently we also meet tablemates there for social time too. Ah, I can't wait for August. Yours, Naomi2

I would just like to add that in Halifax we took an inexpensive cab (holds 5 passengers) to the Titanic cemetery and up to the Citadel. Then we toured the Citadel and walked through the beautiful public garden back down to the port. The seafront is beautiful in Halifax with a lot going on in the summer. There is also a wonderful Immigration museum close to where the ship is docked.

You really don't need an arranged tour unless you are set on going to Peggy's cove. Yours, Naomi2

When we were in Bodrum the ship docked next to a ferry which we caught and took a short boat trip over to the fort and museum which was very interesting and took a good part of the day to explore. Then we took the ferry back and wandered around the streets near the ship to do a bit of shopping. It was a very nice day. The ferry was very inexpensive, but I don't remember how much. We didn't book it in advance. Yours, Naomi2

When my husband got the norovirus or perhaps food poisoning on a Ryndam cruise he was quaranteened for 2 days.

We returned all our Shore Excursions and got our money back. The ship was in Code Red for almost the whole 14 day cruise.Then when we were about to book another cruise 6 months later we received booking credit, because of our discomfort on the Ryndam cruise. The credit was most probably an inducement to take another cruise. After our Ryndam experience my husband was worried about booking again.

We are on the Prinsendam and booked with Alla Tours. We are taking the Group Tour option in St. Petersburg as the private option for a small group (especially the Jewish option is much more expensive). Another group on our ship is booking with Red October and they are getting a private tour for a group of 5 of them for not much more than our Alla tour is costing. Why don't you check out Red October as you are citing epeciallized needs meaning you need a private tour for your family.

I emailed them and got an immediate response from Sweeny, actually Andre who must be by the computer all the time now. I would like to hear from someone who has taken the Safari Tour for cruisers to let me know how much fun it was. We are seniors in our 60's who are not up to a day of snorkeling so are looking for other options.

We are going to Perast and Our Lady of the Rocks Island with Montegro Holidays with pick up at the boat. If you can gather a group of 10 or more it is 20 Euros per person. Yours, Naomi2